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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Phoenix, AZ
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Phoenix, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Phoenix
Home › By item › Yard waste › Phoenix
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Phoenix, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Phoenix
4
bulk trash appointments per household each year
10 cu yd
maximum pile, about 17 by 4 by 4 feet
5:30 a.m.
pile must be in place by this time on your appointment day
Every route for yard waste in Phoenix, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Phoenix guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Phoenix, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
City of Phoenix appointment-based bulk trash: yard waste
FreeBulk trash takes large amounts of vegetation if it is prepared: bag and tie all grass, leaves, weeds, and clippings, and cut trimmings to under 12 inches across and 4 feet long. Loose clippings and big stumps are refused. Routine amounts go in the green organics cart where you have one.
Who qualifies: Homes with City of Phoenix solid waste service. Some neighborhoods and HOAs have community appointments already scheduled; the city posts that list.
How to schedule: Book an appointment first, online at phoenix.gov/bulktrash or by calling 602-262-6251, as late as 3 business days ahead and up to a year out. Set the pile out no more than 7 days before the date and have it in place by 5:30 a.m. that morning. Cancel at least 2 business days ahead and it will not count against you.
Limits: Four appointments per household per calendar year. One pile per residence, no more than 10 cubic yards (about 17 by 4 by 4 feet). No community piles; each household books its own.
Set-out: A single pile at the edge of your property parallel to the street, within 5 feet of the curb, at least 5 feet from walls, mailboxes, and other fixed objects, and never on a water meter or in the alley. Putting trash out more than 7 days before your appointment is a city ordinance violation.
City of Phoenix transfer stations: yard waste
Free within the monthly allowanceYard waste can be self-hauled.
Where: 27th Avenue Transfer Station (3060 S. 27th Ave) and North Gateway Transfer Station (30205 N. Black Canyon Hwy)
How it works: For city solid waste customers with ID and a city services bill. Residents can self-haul household bulk, and the city allows a free monthly allowance by weight; check current limits. Tires (limited per year, rims off) and one refrigerant appliance per year are accepted under separate rules on the transfer station and appliance recycling pages.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Phoenix: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering yard waste, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Phoenix: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Phoenix transformed its bulk pickup system in September 2024, replacing the old quarterly schedule with an appointment-based model. Each household now gets up to 4 free bulk pickups per calendar year (each up to 10 cubic yards), scheduled online or by calling 602-262-6251. Combined with the 27th Avenue Transfer Station, the appliance recycling program, and free annual refrigerant appliance drop-off, Phoenix residents have solid options, if they plan ahead. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The Phoenix rule for yard waste: Bulk trash takes large amounts of vegetation if it is prepared: bag and tie all grass, leaves, weeds, and clippings, and cut trimmings to under 12 inches across and 4 feet long. Loose clippings and big stumps are refused. Routine amounts go in the green organics cart where you have one.
Program basics: Four appointments per household per calendar year. One pile per residence, no more than 10 cubic yards (about 17 by 4 by 4 feet). No community piles; each household books its own. A single pile at the edge of your property parallel to the street, within 5 feet of the curb, at least 5 feet from walls, mailboxes, and other fixed objects, and never on a water meter or in the alley. Putting trash out more than 7 days before your appointment is a city ordinance violation.
What the city will not take: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and other refrigerant appliances, tires of any size, household hazardous waste (paint, oil, antifreeze, batteries, pool chemicals), glass such as windows, mirrors, shower doors, and fluorescent tubes, bricks, concrete, dirt, rocks, asphalt and roofing, construction debris over 25 pounds or 4 feet, metal or car parts over 20 pounds or 4 feet, more than 2 pallets, Bagster bags, loose yard clippings, and ordinary household trash.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Phoenix Public Works: Bulk Trash (appointment-based), City of Phoenix: Appliance Recycling, City of Phoenix: Transfer Station Drop-off, City of Phoenix: Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why yard waste are different from ordinary bulk. Bundling rules are where most yard waste gets skipped. Branches typically must be under 4 feet long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter, tied in bundles under 40 to 50 pounds, and limited to a number of bundles per week. Leaves go in paper bags or carts, not plastic, in most programs because the material is composted. Plastic bags of leaves are the most common curbside rejection.
Three mistakes that get yard waste left at the curb:
Paid options cover stumps, large tree removals, and heavy loads of sod and soil.
Stump grinding
$100 to $400 per stumpGrinding a stump in place to below grade is cheaper and easier than removing it. The grindings can be left as mulch or bagged as yard waste where the program allows wood chips.
Mark utilities first. Call 811 before grinding near service lines.
LoadUp paid yard waste pickup
$80+For households who can’t wait for an appointment slot, exceed the 10 cubic yard limit, need items the city won’t take, or have urgent timelines (move-outs, real estate closings), LoadUp offers professional removal in Phoenix with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your yard waste. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book yard waste pickup in Phoenix with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Phoenix proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Phoenix junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national yard waste disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Phoenix: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Phoenix pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, with a bulk trash appointment, if clippings are bagged and tied and trimmings are cut under 12 inches across and 4 feet long.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Phoenix?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Phoenix starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households who can’t wait for an appointment slot, exceed the 10 cubic yard limit, need items the city won’t take, or have urgent timelines (move-outs, real estate closings), LoadUp offers professional removal in Phoenix with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
How do I put yard waste out for pickup?
Leaves and clippings in paper lawn bags or the green cart, not plastic. Branches cut to the length limit (usually 4 feet), under the diameter limit (usually 4 to 6 inches), tied in bundles under 40 to 50 pounds. Check your city’s weekly bundle limit and season in the directory below.
Why can’t I use plastic bags?
Because yard waste is composted or ground into mulch, and plastic contaminates the product. Most programs require paper bags or carts; a few accept plastic bags that crews empty and leave behind.
Which states ban yard waste from landfills?
More than 20 states ban some or all yard waste from landfills, including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Delaware among others. That is why curbside programs are so common.
What do I do with a tree stump?
Grind it in place ($100 to $400), dig it out and take it to a transfer station as inert material, or list it free for someone who wants firewood or a planter. Most curbside programs exclude stumps and root balls.
Is this Phoenix page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Phoenix guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.